Blowtorch burner



March 15, 1955 A. A. K. sPlTzR BLOWTORCH BURNER Filed March 24, 1952 JNVENToR. A74 'Baer/7. SP/rz?,

United States Patent t Office 2,704,119 Patented Mar. l5, 1955 BLOWTORCH BURNER Albert A. K. Spitzer, Beverly Hills, Calif., assignor to 'Ihe Deutsch Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application March 24, 1952, Serial No. 278,219

7 Claims. (Cl. 158-99) This invention relates to liquid and gas fuel burners, and more particularly to blowtorches of the type 1 n which fuel, such as a volatile petroleum derivatlve, 1s stored under pressure of liquidization, but is released into a burner at such lowered pressure that it is in gaseous, or at least vaporized form.

An object of my present invention is to provlde a burner for volatile petroleum derivative fuels of the character indicated, specifically designed for use apart from the pressure tank in which the liquidized fuel 1s stored, and connected thereto by a flexible fuel hose so as to add to the convenience of use, and to increase the range of adaptability of the burner, as compared to the more conventionally constructed hand torches fueled by butane, propane, or similar petroleum derivative fuels, in which the burner is mounted directly upon and rigid with respect to the fuel storage tank, and of which the hand torch forming the subject matter of Patent No. 2,465,643 issued to Goss on March 29, 1949, is an illustrative example.

A further object, therefore, is to provide a hand torch for the type of fuel described, which is designed for heavier use, i. e., to heat larger objects than the hand torches having their burners mounted directly upon their storage tanks, the larger flame, and larger periods of uninterrupted use necessary for such work being made possible by the larger storage tanks which can be used when the burner is a unit apart from the tank, with the result that the tank can remain in one location while the burner is moved about and manipulated freely without the encumbrance of the tank.

Another object of this invention is to provide a convenient and comfortable handle of novel design for the burner, thus adding to the convenience of use and the maneuverability and, consequently, the range of adaptability, of the burner, in spite of its somewhat larger size and greater heating capacity.

Another object in this same connection is to design the handle so that it is capable of a relatively wide range of adjustment, so as best to suit the convenience of any individual operator.

A still further object is to mount the handle upon portions of the construction that contribute directly to the operating efficiency of he burner, thus minimizing the number of parts which have no function other than that of a part of the handle structure.

Yet another object in this connection is to design the mounting for the handle in such a manner that there is no tendency for the handle to become uncomfortably warm, even during prolonged periods of use of maximum burner capacity. j

Minimizing weight, quantity of materials, and cost of production without sacrifice of operational efiiciency constitute other objects which have influenced the design of the burner of the present invention.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the show ing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of a blowtorch burner incorporating the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view partially in side elevation and partially in longitudinal, medial, vertical section taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. l, with the direction of view as indicated. This view is drawn to a slightly enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken upon the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Specifically describing that modification of my present invention which has been chosen for illustration and description herein, there is provided a hollow tubular body 6 open at its outer or forward end 7 and closed at its after end 8 by a head 9. The bore 11 of the tubular body 6 is divided into two substantially equal portions 12 and 13 by a transversely extending plate 14, thus dividing the bore 11 into a combustion chamber 12 and a carburation chamber 13. The plate 14 has a central aperture 16 establishing communication between the Carburation chamber 13 and the combustion chamber 12 so as to permit carburated gases to flow from the former to the latter; and this central aperture 16 is provided with a tubular burner tip 17 fitted firmly into and through the aperture 16 so as to mount the burner tip 17 rigidly upon the plate 14. The burner tip 17 preferably projects for a relatively short distance into the combustion chamber 12, as indicated at 18, and for a considerably greater distance into the Carburation chamber 13, as indicated at 19. Preferably the portion 19 of the burner tip 17 is of such length that the inner end 21 thereof is located substantially at the center of the Carburation chamber 13, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

Gaseous fuel is admitted to the Carburation chamber 13 through a gas inlet opening 26 through the head 9, disposed axially with respect thereto. Gas to be burned is supplied to this opening 26 by a supply tube 27 threaded to the head 9 at the outer end of the opening 26; and a relatively short tube 28 is seated within the opening 26, preferably under compression between a shoulder 29 at the inner end of the opening 26, and the end of the supply tube 27. The inner end of the tube 28 is restricted, as indicated at 31, thus defining an orifice 32 of such di-v ameter that the gas supplied to the Carburation chamber 13 will be jetted thereinto at considerable velocity. The velocity of this jet is sufficient to insure its traversing the Carburation chamber 13 into and through the burner tip 17, picking up and carrying with it, as it passes through the carburation chamber 13, air which has entered the chamber 13 through preferably a pair of air inlet openings 36 formed in the head 9 and extending therethrough parallel to the gas inlet opening 26 and preferably equally spaced therefrom on opposite sides thereof.

Air entering the Carburation chamber 13 through these openings 36 is guided by relatively long air inlet tubes 37, one of which is associated with each of the openings 36. The inner end of each tube 37 is fitted securely within its associated opening 36 so as to provide a rigid construction, both tubes 37 preferably extending completely through the head 9 so that their inner ends are flush with the inner face of the head. Both tubes 37 are relatively long, a length of two and a half to three times that of the tubular body 6 having been found to impart the desired smooth flow to the streams of air entering the Carburation chamber 13 whereby maximum efiiciency of Carburation is obtained. It is understood, of course, that both ends of both tubes 37 are open so as to establish communication between the exterior of the carburation chamber 13 and the ambient atmosphere, but only through the tubes 37.

Since the gas inlet tube 27 is disposed between the two air inlet tubes 37, the former is substantially longer than the latter, so as to give the desired access to the outer end of the gas inlet tube 27 which permits facile mounting of a manually operable control valve 41 thereupon. A flexible gas supply tube 42 is connected to the outer end of the valve 41 with preferably a coil spring 43 encircling that end of the tube 42 which joins the valve 41 so as to avoid kinking.

One of the important details with which the present invention is concerned resides in the design and mounting of a handle which adds very materially to the ease of operation and the--maneuverability of the burner of the present invention. This handle is preferably. of wood because'of the relative cheapness of this material and its thermally insulative qualities. According to its preferred design, the upper end 52 of the handle is substantially vertical with a portion 53 sloping downwards and aft from the lower end of the vertical portion 52 to provide a comfortable pistol grip. The upper end 52 of the handle 51 is bifurcated by a slot 54 parallel to the two sides 56 of the handle. This slot 54 passes diametrically through a pair of spaced parallel apertures 57 each of which is of circular cross-section and of diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of each of the tubes 3.7. Moreover, these apertures 57 are -spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the spacing between tubes 37 with the result that the two tubes 37 are embraced between the two bifurcations 58 at the upper end of the handle 51 by passing through the two apertures .57, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The slot 54 also passes diametrically through a smaller aperture 59 so sized, shaped, and located that it accommodates the gas tube 27 between the two air inlet tubes 37, as is also clearly shown in Fig. 4.

At suitable location above the lower end. of the slot 54 a transversely extending bolt 61 is provided, with a preferably knurled nut 62 threaded onto the bolt 61 so that, by tightening the nut 62, .the two bifurcations 58 can be squeezed together, clamping them so tightly upon the tubes 37 and 27 that the handle `51 is clamped securely in selected position upon the functionally operative portions of the burner, after which the parts may be clamped tightly together by tightening the nut 62. In view of the spaced apart relationship of the two tubes 37, this spacing being by a considerable distance measured longitudinally of the handle, a very strong and rigid mounting of the handle is obtained, in spite of the fact that by simply loosening the nut adjustment of the handle to any desired position of spacing from the body 6 of the burner is attainable.

However, what is possibly an even more important advantage derived from the described manner of mounting of the handle, is the highly efficient thermal insulation which prevents heat from the burner body 6 from reaching the handle, thus contributing materially to the comfort of the operator. This important factor of insulation results from two details of construction, first: the relatively elongated nature of the tubes 37, and second: the ow of atmospheric air through the tubes 37, the direction of fiow being from the handle 51 toward the body 6. Even though the body 6 becomes very hot while the burner is in use, any heat owing from the body 6 into the metal of the tubes 37 is absorbed by the relatively cool air flowing through the tubes, with the result that the portions of the tubes making contact with the handle, and even for some distance from the handle toward the body, remain substantially at the temperature of the atmosphere, even when the torch is used for extended periods. v

This not only adds tothe ease and comfort with which the torch can be used, but it adds also to the efficiency of the combustion of the fuel, since the air entering the Carburation chamber 13 is pre-warmed during its passage toward the chamber 13 through the inlet tubes.

I claim: l

1. A blowtorch burner of the character described comprising a hollow tubular body, a plate extending across the bore of said body intermediate the ends thereof to divide said bore into a combustion chamber and a carburetion chamber, and having a central aperture therethrough establishing communication between said chambers, a head rigid with said body at the outer end of said carburetion chamber and having a gas inlet opening therein directed toward and in axial alignment with said plates aperture, said head also having air inlet orifices therethrough offset on opposite sides of said orifice with their axes parallel thereto, a tube fitted to each of said air inlet orifices, the bores of said tubes opening into said carburetion chamber and the outer ends of said tubes being open and thereby establishing substantially unrestricted communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said carburetion chamber, means for connecting a supply of gas fuel to said head in communication with said gas inlet opening, and means for regulating flow of said fuel.

2. A blowtorch burner of the character described comprising a hollow tubular body, a plate extending across the bore of said body intermediate the ends thereof to divide said bore into a combustion chamber and a carburetion chamber, and having a central aperture therethrough establishing communication between said chambers, a head rigid with said body at the outer end of said carburetion chamber and having a gas inlet opening therein directed toward and in axial alignment with said plates aperture, said head also having air inlet orifices therethrough offset on opposite sides of said orifice with their axes parallel thereto, a tube fitted to each of said air inlet orifices, the bores of said tubes opening into said carburetion chamber and the outer ends of said tubes being open and thereby establishing substantially unrestricted communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said carburetion chamber, said tubes extending rearwardly from said head in spaced, parallel relation to each other, a handle having apertures therethrough fitted to said tubes and extending downwards therefrom to provide a hand grip, means for connecting a supply of gas fuel to said head in communication with said gas inlet opening, and means for regulating fiow of said fuel.

3. A blowtorch burner of the character described comprising a hollow tubular body, a plate extending across the bore of said body intermediate the ends thereof to divide said bore into a combustion chamber and a carburetion chamber, and having a central aperture therethrough establishing communication between said chambers, a head rigid with said body at the outer end of said carburetion chamber and having a gas inlet opening therein directed toward and in axial alignment with said plates aperture, said head also having air inlet orifices therethrough offset on opposite sides of said orifice with their axes parallel thereto, a tube fitted to each of said air inlet orifices, the bores of said tubes opening into said carburetion chamber and the outer ends of said tubes being open and thereby establishing substantially unrestricted communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said carburetion chamber, said tubes extending rearwardly from said head in spaced, parallel relation to each other, a handle slidably mounted adjacent its upper end on said tubes and extending downwards therefrom to provide a hand grip, means for connecting a supply of gas fuel to said head in communication with said gas inlet opening, and means for regulating fiow of said fuel.

4. A blowtorch burner of the character described comprising a hollow tubular body, a plate extending across the bore of said body intermediate the ends thereof to divide said bore into a combustion chamber and a carburetion chamber, and having a central aperture therethrough establishing communication between said charnbers, a head rigid with said body at the outer end of said carburetion chamber and having a gas inlet opening therein directed toward and in axial alignment with said plates aperture, said head also having air inlet orifices therethrough offset on opposite sides of said orifice with their axes parallel thereto, a tube fitted to each of said air inlet orifices, the bores of said tubes opening into said carburetion chamber and the outer ends of said tubes being open and thereby establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said carburetion chamber, said tubes extending rearwardly from said head in spaced, parallel relation to each other, a handle having apertures therethrough fitted to said tubes and extending downwards therefrom to provide a hand grip, the upper end of said handle also having a slot therein passing diametrically through both of said handles apertures, means for clamping the portions of said handle on both sides of said slot tightly upon said tubes, and means for connecting a supply of gas fuel to said head in communication with said gas inlet opening.

5. A blowtorch burner of the character described comprising a hollow tubular body, a plate extending across the bore of said body intermediate the ends thereof to divide said bore into a combustion chamber and a carburetion chamber, and having a central aperture therethrough establishing communication between said chambers, a head rigid with said body at the outer end of said carburetion chamber and having a gas inlet opening therein directed toward and in axial alignment with said plates aperture, said head also having air inlet orifices therethrough offset on opposite sides of said orifice with their axes parallel thereto, a tube fitted to each of said air inlet orilices, the bores of said tubes opening into said carburetion chamber and the outer ends of said tubes being open and thereby establishing communication between the atmosphere and the interior of said carburetion chamber, said tubes extending rearwardly from said head in spaced, parallel relation to each other, a handle having apertures therethrough fitted to said tubes and extending downwards therefrom to provide a hand grip, the upper end of said handle also having a slot therein passing diametrically through both of said handles apertures, means for clamping the portions of said handle on both sides of said slot tightly upon said tubes, said clamping means being releasable to loosen the engagement of said handle upon said tubes and thereby permit adjustment of said handle longitudinally of said tubes, and means for connecting a supply of gas fuel to said head in communication with said gas inlet opening.

6. A blowtorch burner comprising in combination a burner body having a combustion chamber therein, a pair of air inlet tubes rigid with said body and extending therefrom in spaced, parallel relation, the outer ends of said tubes being open to the atmosphere and their inner ends communicating with said burner body, means for injecting fuel into said burner body, and means operated by said injected fuel for aspirating air into the body whereby ow of air is induced through said tubes toward said body, and a handle mounted on said tubes in spaced relation with respect to said body whereby heat owing from said body into said tubes is absorbed by air flowing through said tubes bores before reaching said handle.

7. A blowtorch comprising in combination a burner body having a combustion chamber therein, a pair of air inlet tubes rigid with said body and extending therefrom in spaced, parallel relation, the outer ends of said tubes being open to the atmosphere and their inner ends communicating with said burner body, means for injecting fuel into said burner body, and means operated by said injected fuel for aspirating air into the body whereby ow of air is induced through said tubes toward said body, and a handle having spaced parallel apertures through its upper end fitted to said tubes, the other end of said handle extending downward therefrom to provide a hand grip, the upper end of said handle having a slot passing diametrically through both of said apertures, and means for clamping the portions of said handle on opposite sides of said `slot tightly upon said tubes, said clamping means being releasable to loosen the engagement of said handle upon said tubes and thereby permit adjustment of said handle longitudinally of said tubes.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 552,117 Gersant et al. Dec. 31, 1895 2,107,365 Bray Feb. 8, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 617,880 France Nov. 29, 1926 

